[2] As a journalist, Cornell reported on local events in Perth for The Daily News (a publication of West Australian Newspapers),[4][2] becoming editor of that paper at 26 years of age.
[5] In 1971, while working as a producer for the television show A Current Affair, Cornell recognised the talents of a Sydney Harbour Bridge rigger, Paul Hogan (who had been the subject of an interview by the station).
[25][27] It was described at the time by the buyer (Dan Brady, CEO of Moelis Australia Hotel Management) as an "Iconic Australian establishment located on irreplaceable real estate".
[18][19][20][26][25][23] Cornell and Paul Hogan were investigated for alleged tax evasion as part of the Australian Taxation Office's (ATO) Project Wickenby, which commenced in 2004.
[30][31] They were also investigated by the Australian Crime Commission "over the use of offshore accounts to bank royalties from the Crocodile Dundee films" (with both denying any dishonest conduct).
[7] The disease had rendered Cornell largely immobile;[7] however, treatment by Peter Silburn at St Andrew's War Memorial Hospital in Brisbane enabled him to "enjoy 2 km walks with his wife".